Hicks to leave Sweet Home July 1

by DAVID F. SHERMAN

Managing Editor

Hicks
Geoffrey Hicks, superintendent of the Sweet Home Central School District, announced April 14 that he is leaving to take a position as superintendent of the Arlington Central School District, near Poughkeepsie.

Hicks is scheduled to begin the position on July 1, less than a week after Sweet Home’s annual commencement.

The Sweet Home Central Board of Education has not announced any details regarding his successor.

Hicks said the process that led him to Arlington came about quickly.

“I was recruited by some downstate consultants back in February,” he said. “It has happened before, and most of the time I ignored it. But this looked like a very good opportunity.”

He said although it is a large district with nine elementary schools, three middle schools and one high school, the community has similarities to those in Western New York.

“I met with the Board of Education and people in the community,” he said.

Hicks began his career in education as a teacher in Wellsville. He came to the Buffalo area 12 years ago as principal of Sweet Home Middle School and has been district superintendent the last eight years.

While he is moving to a larger district in a different region, he will still have to deal with the financial problems associated with the New York State budget.

“Things are not much different downstate,” he said. “There are problems in all the districts in the state. You have to be able to recognize the impact on taxpayers.

“We have to stay true to our mission of maintaining core programs while still being the keeper of the purse. We have accepted the responsibility of educating our kids. To do that, you have to have the support of the community.”

He praised others for believing in him and his administration.

“I had the support of the board and our very professional staff,” he said. “Together we were able to promote the academic achievements of our kids.”

Hicks and his wife, Patty, have two children, both of whom are students at Brockport State College.

“I never would have looked for another position with kids still at Sweet Home,” he said.